Federal appeals court: Warning drivers about speed traps a First Amendment right

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit reversed a lower court decision and held that a police officer in Stamford, Connecticut, violated Michael Friend’s First Amendment rights and had no probable cause to arrest him for standing on a public sidewalk and holding a sign that read “Cops Ahead.”

Friend was standing on a sidewalk near a Stamford police checkpoint on April 12, 2018, holding a “Cops Ahead” sign when Sgt. Richard Gasparino approached Friend, took his sign, and threatened to arrest him. Friend instead made a larger sign and moved to a different spot. Gasparino then handcuffed and arrested Friend, who was charged with misdemeanor interference and held on a $25,000 bail. Prosecutors later dropped the charge.